Firing pin safety mechanism for firearms



A 770/?574 amwtnvx, 598:8. 6:429 5' in? May 25, 1965 3,184,876

F. WALTHER FIRING PIN SAFETY MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS Filed March 15, 1962 26 J 27 lo Jnventor United States Patent 3,184,876 FIRENG PEN SAFETY MECHANISM FGR FHREARMS Fritz Walther, Wetterstcinweg 4, Ulm (Danube), Germany Filed Mar. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 179,948 Claims priority, application Germany, Mar. 18, 1961, V 29,674 6 Claims. (CI. 42-76) This invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to automatic firing pin safety mechanisms for firearms which are adapted to achieve the utmost safety against accidental firing of'the weapon in the safety-on position by making it impossible for the firing pin to come into contact with the firing cap of the shell, and to further definitely prevent firing of the weapon by locking the trigger.

Safety devices known to the prior art for preventing contact between the firing pin and the firing cap of a shell have the safety mechanism arranged so that the safety lever is positioned in the rear part of the firearm. One example of this arrangement is employed in automatic pistol which have such trigger-lock constructions. On designs of this type, actual practice has proven that this type of safety device is not foolproof in operation since the projection or lug of the safety pin in the arresting position wears appreciably due to the permanent stress imposed upon the lug material by the firing pin and trigger mechanisms, respectively. This makes it possible, therefore, for the firing pin to make contact with the firing cap of the shell with the safety mechanism in the safety-on position, although such contact is inadvertently made, thereby causing a shot to be fired, thus leading to possible accidents.

The instant invention sets forth a novel arrangement to avoid the above described disadvantages by having the safety mechanism arranged in the front portion of the firearm for the purpose of arresting the firing pin mechanism, and simultaneously therewith for blocking the firearm trigger mechanism.

With this arrangement, even in the presence of a faulty firing pin mechanism, no unintentional firing can occur, since the primer of the shell cannot be reached or engaged by the firing pin. This is provided for by means of a pivotally mounted safety lever having a cammed portion wherein a first portion of the cammed surface permits firing of the firearm, while a second portion of the cammed surface prevents firing of the firearm when the safety lever is rotated to the appropriate position. The lower portion of the safety lever, when in the safetyon position, abuts a slidable member of the trigger locking assembly, preventing actuation of the trigger simultaneously with the prevention of contact between firing pin and primer. With the safety lever in the upper or safety-off position, however, the slidable member of the trigger locking assembly is urged to its normal position, thus unlocking the trigger of the firearm, thereby permitting firing of the firearm with the safety lever in the safety-off position.

The safety mechanism is positioned in the front portion of the firearm adjacent the region Where contact is made between firing pin and firing cap. This produces the advantage of reducing the size of the elements employed in the trigger assembly which, in turn, results in advantages with regard to manufacturing time and eX- pense.

It is, therefore, one object of my invention to provide a safety mechanism for a firearm which is so arranged as to simultaneously block the trigger mechanism, while preventing engagement between firing pin and primer of a shell positioned in the firearm.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety mechanism for a firearm which is so designed as to posiice tively prevent the firing of the firearm with the safety mechanism in the safety-on position, even upon the occurrence of unintentional release of the firing pin mechanism.

These and other objects will become apparent when reading the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a firearm shown partially in cross-section to expose the firing pin safety mechanism and wherein the safety lever is in the safety-oif position with the firing pin in the cocked position.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the safety mechanism shown in FIGURE 1 with the firing pin in the uncoclted position, and the safety lever in the safety-on position.

FIGURE 3 shows a portion of the safety mechanism of FIGURES l and 2 With the safety lever in the safetyoif position, and the firing pin in the uncooked position.

FIGURE 4 shows a portion of the safety mechanism of FIGURES 1 and 2 with the safety lever in the safetyon position, and the firing pin in the uncocked position.

FIGURE 5 shows another preferred embodiment of the safety mechanism of FIGURES l and 2.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a portion of a firearm 16% which may, for example, be an automatic pistol which is comprised of a breech block 1 containing a pivotally mounted safety lever 2 which is pivoted to rotate clockwise and/or counterclockwise in the directions shown by arrows 45 and 45 respectively.

The safety lever, when in the position as shown in FIGURE 1, is arranged so that its lower end 3 abuts a flanged portion 4- of safety ratchet lever 5 which reciprocates in a vertical direction. The safety ratchet lever 5 is a substantially L-shaped member having longitudinally positioned slots 6 and 7 which are slidably engaged by pins 3 and 9 respectively, which pins are integrally mounted onto the frame 10 of the firearm 109. The safety ratchet lever 5 operates as a trigger locking means in a manner to be more fully described.

A leaf spring member 11 is arranged so that its first end is embedded in a rear portion of the firearm frame 10, while its opposite end abuts against the lower edge of a pin 15 secured at an intermediate point along safety ratchet lever 55. The spring member 11 is biased in such a manner that it urges safety ratchet lever 5, which is guided by pins 8 and 9, in the direction shown by arrow 40. Thus, with the safety lever 2 in the position shown in FIGURE 1, safety lever 5 is restrained from any further movement in the upward vertical direction due to the lever fiange 4 abutting the lower edge 3 of safety lever 2.

The left-hand edge of safety lever 5 is provided with a notched portion 16 which cooperates with a flanged portion 22 of rail 13 in a manner to be more fully described.

The reciprocating rail member 18 is positioned in a groove 18a of similar configuration provided in the weapon frame it). The longitudinal motion of rail 18 is limited by means of the horizontally aligned slot 19 in rail 18 which slidably engages a pin 20 provided in weapon frame 16. The left-hand end 17 of rail 18 forms the finger-actuated trigger portion. A spring member 21 is positioned between the right-hand edge of springactuated trigger 17 and the left-hand edge ltla of firearm frame it so as to urge rail member 18 in the direction shown by arrow at.

In order to operate firearm 1th trigger 17 is urged against the force of spring member 21 in the direction shown by arrow 42. The trigger 17 in rail 18 is coupled by a coupling mechanism (not shown) to the release member 23 which is mounted to pivot about a pivot pin 23a. The movement of the trigger 17 in the direction of arrow 42 causes the release lever 23 to pivot counterclockwise in the direction shown by arrow 47 about its pivot point 23a. This causes the disengagement of the projection 24 on release lever 23 from the nose 25 of striking pin member 26.

Just prior to firing of the weapon-that is, with the striking pin member 26 in the position shown in FIG- URE 1-striking pin member 26 has a large force exerted upon it, urging it toward the direction shown by arrow 48 due to a spring member 27 which iscompressed between the rear wall of striking pin member 26 and the rear end 1a of breech-block 1.

With the disengagement of projection 24 from nose 25, the compressed spring member 27 urges striking pin member 26 in the direction shown by arrow 48. The

striking pin member, under control of this force, ultimately moves to the position shown in FIGURE 3 so that the firing pin 28 of striking pin member 26 comes into contact with the cartridge 29a of shell 29. This engagement is permitted, since the shoulder portion 26a of striking pin member 26 engages the cammed surface 2a of safety lever 2 which is so designed as to permit contact between firing pin 28 and cartridge 29a.

When the safety lever 2 (see FIGURE 1) is pivoted counterclockwise, as shown by arrow 46, to the position shown in FIGURE 2, the weapon is now in the safety-on position, preventing contact between firing pin and cartridge, and simultaneously therewith preventing actuation of the trigger 17. This is provided for in the following manner:

With the rotation of safety lever 2 to the position shown in FIGURE 2, the lower edge 3 of the safety lever no longer abuts flange 4 of safety ratchet lever 5. This permits lever 5 to move upward in the direction shown by arrow 40 under control of leaf spring member 11. This causes the crown portion 31 of lever 5 to abut a groove 32 of similar configuration provided in the frame portion '10 of the weapon 100. In this position, the left-hand edge 16a is so positioned that it abuts the right-hand edge 22a of flange 22, preventing the movement of rail 18 and, hence, trigger 17 in the direction shown by arrow 42. It should be understood that the flange 22, as portrayed in FIGURES 1 and 2, extends vertically upward from the plane of the figure so that its right-hand edge 22a abuts the left-hand edge 16a of notch 16.

. The rotation of safety lever 2 to the position shown in FIGURE 2 causes the cammcd surface 2b to be rotated counterclockwise so that this surface now engages the shoulder 26a of striking pin member 26.

It can be seen from FIGURE 4 that with the safety lever 2 in this position, the firing pin 28 fails to reach the cartridge 29a of shell 29, thereby preventing firing intentionally or unintentionally of the firearm 100. It should be noted, however, that no firing will take place due to the locking function provided by the lever 5 which prevents actuation of trigger member 17.

Another preferred embodiment of the safety mechanism is shown in FIGURE 5 wherein the safety lever 5' has an aperture 5a which engages a pin 50 of firearm frame so as to be pivotally mounted thereby. Lever member 5 is provided with an upper and a lower flanged I portion 4' and 34, and with a longitudinally aligned slot 6 slidably engaged by a pin 8 extending from firearm frame 10. The lever 5' provided in FIGURE 5 is arranged so that-the flange 4 is abutted by the lower portion 3 of the safety lever 2 with the safety lever in the position shown in FIGURE 5. In this position, the lower flange 34 is physically beneath the flange 22 provided on rail member 18, preventing a contact therebetween. With the lever 2 rotated to the dotted position 2, lever 5' rotates in the clockwise direction, as shownby arrow 54 causing the crown portion 31' to be seated in the mating groove 32' under control of the leaf spring member 35. The leaf spring member 35 may be chosen so as to be of a heavier 4 gauge than that shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, due to the different configuration of the lever member 5' from the lever 5 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

With the lever member 5 in the dotted line position 5", the left-hand edge of flange 34 abuts the right-hand edge of flange 22 on rail 18, thereby locking trigger 17 in thesame manner as that described with reference to the safety mechanism shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

It can, therefore, be seen that this invention provides a safety mechanism which prevents any contact whatsoever between the firing pin and the primer of cartridge and which simultaneously therewith locks the trigger mechanism when the safety lever is in the safety-on position.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is preferred, therefore, that the scope of this invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein but only by the appended claims. a

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows.

I claim:

1. A safety mechanism and a firearm having a chamber, a trigger and a firing pin means for engaging the primer of a cartridge, said mechanism comprising pivotally mounted safety lever means positioned between said firing pin means and the primer of the cartridge to be fired and adjacent said primer; said safety lever means being movable between a first and a second position; trigger locking means movable between a first and second position; bias means urging said trigger locking means towards said first position; said trigger locking means preventing movement of the firearm trigger when said trigger locking means is in said first position; said safety lever means urging said trigger locking means toward said second position when said lever means is rotated to said second position; said lever means and said trigger locking means permitting said firing pin means to engage the primer and said firearm trigger to'be actuated when in their respective second positions.

2. A safety mechanism and a firearm having a chamber, a trigger and a firing pin means for engaging the primer of a cartridge, said mechanism comprising pivotally mounted safety lever means positioned between said firing pin means and the primer of the cartridge to be fired and adjacent said primer; said safety lever means being movable between a first and a second position; trigger locking means movable between a first and second position; bias means urging said trigger locking means towards said first position; said trigger locking means preventing movement of the firearm trigger when said trigger locking means is in said first position; said safety lever means urging said trigger locking means toward said second position when said lever means is rotated to said second position; said lever means and said trigger locking means permitting said firing pin means to engage the primer and said firearm trigger to be actuated when in their respective second position; said safety lever means premeans movable between a first and second position; bias means urging said trigger locking means towards said first position; said trigger locking means preventing movement of the firearm trigger when said trigger locking means is in said first position; said safety lever means urging said trigger locking means toward said second position when said lever means is rotated to said second position; said lever means and said trigger locking means per- 3,1 eases mitting said firing pin means to engage the primer and said firearm trigger to be actuated when in their respective second positions; said safety lever means preventing said firing pin means from engaging the primer when rotated to said first position; said safety lever means having a portion projecting into said chamber, said projecting portion having first and second cam surfaces, said first surface preventing said firing pin means from engaging said primer and said second cam surface permitting said firing pin means to engage said primer when said safety lever means is in said first and second positions respectively.

4. A safety mechanism and a firearm having a chamber, a trigger and a firing pin means for engaging the primer of a cartridge, said mechanism comprising pivotally mounted safety lever means positioned between said firing pin means and a primer of the cartridge to be fired and adjacent said primer; said safety lever means being movable between a first and a second position; trigger locking means movable between a first and second position; bias means urging said trigger locking means towards said first position; said trigger locking means preventing movement of the firearm trigger when said trigger locking means is in said first position; said safety lever means urging said trigger locking means toward said second position when said lever means is rotated to said second position; said lever means and said trigger locking means permitting said firing pin means to engage the primer and said firearm trigger to be actuated when in their respective second positions; said safety lever means preventing said firing pin means from engaging the primer when rotated to said first position; said trigger locking means comprising a first reciprocating member biassed towards said first position by said bias means; a second reciprocating member integral with said firearm trigger and mounted substantially perpendicular to said first reciprocating member; second bias means urging said second reciprocating means towards a first position.

5. A safety mechanism and a firearm having a chamber, a trigger and a firing pin means for engaging the primer of a cartridge, said mechanism comprising pivotally mounted safety lever means positioned between said firing pin means and a primer of the cartridge to be fired and adjacent said primer; said safety lever means being movable between a first and a second position; trigger locking means movable between a first and second position; bias means urging said trigger locking means towards said first position; said trigger locking means preventing movement of the firearm trigger when said trigger locking means is in said first position; said safety lever means urging said trigger locking means toward said second position when said lever means is rotated to said second position; said lever means and said trigger locking means permitting said firing pin means to engage the primer and said firearm trigger to be actuated when in their respective second positions; said safety lever means preventing said firing pin means from engaging the primer when rotated to said first position; said trigger locking means comprising a first reciprocating member biassed towards said first position by said bias means; a second reciprocating member inte- IJ o gral with said firearm trigger and mounted substantially perpendicular to said first reciprocating member; second bias means urging said second reciprocating means towards a first position; said second reciprocating member having a flange projecting towards said first reciprocating member; said first reciprocating member having a notch along one edge; said notch abutting said fiange when said first reciprocating member is in said first position preventing movement of said firearm trigger.

6. A safety mechanism and a firearm having a chamber, a trigger and a firing pin means for engaging the primer of a cartridge, said mechanism comprising pivotally mounted safety lever means positioned between said firing pin means and a primer of the cartridge to be fired and adjacent said primer; said safety lever means being movable between a first and a second position; trigger locking means movable between a first and second position; bias means urging said trigger locking means towards said first position; said trigger locking means preventing movement of the firearm trigger when said trigger locking means is in 'said first position; said safety lever means urging said trigger locking means toward said second position when said lever means is rotated to said second position; said lever means and said trigger locking means permitting said firing pin means to engage the cartridge and said firearm trigger to be actuated when in their respective second positions; said safety lever means preventing said firing pin means from engaging the cartridge when rotated to said first position; said trigger locking means comprising a first reciprocating member biassed towards said first position by said bias means; a second reciprocating member integral with said firearm trigger and mounted substantially perpendicular to said first reciprocating member; second bias means urging said second reciprocating means towards a first position; said second reciprocating member having a flange projecting towards said first reciprocating member; said first reciprocating member having a notch along one edge; said notch abutting said flange when said first reciprocating member is in said first position preventing movement of said firearm trigger said first reciprocating member having a flanged upper portion positioned adjacent said safety lever means; said safety lever means abutting said flanged upper portion when in said second position causing said first reciprocating member to move to its second position; said notch permitting actution of said firearm trigger when said first reciprocating member is in second position.

References ited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATEIITS 1,379,238 5/21 Barnard 42-70 2,455,990 12/48 Gaugler 42-70 2,5 39,644 1/51 Turner 4270 BENJAMIN A. BORiDHELT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SAFETY MECHANISM AND A FIREARM HAVING A CHAMBER, A TRIGGER AND A FIRING PIN MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE PRIMER OF A CARTRIDGE, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED SAFETY LEVER MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID FIRING PIN MEANS AND THE PRIMER OF THE CARTRIDGE TO BE FIRED AND ADJACENT SAID PRIMER; SAID SAFETY LEVER MEANS BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST AND A SECOND POSITION; TRIGGER LOCKING MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST AND SECOND POSITION; BIAS MEANS URGING SAID TRIGGER LOCKING MEANS TOWARDS SAID FIRST POSITION; SAID TRIGGER LOCKING MEANS PREVENTING MOVEMENT OF THE FIREARM TRIGGER WHEN SAID TRIGGER LOCKING MEANS IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION; SAID SAFETY LEVER MEANS URGING SAID TRIGGER LOCKING MEANS TOWARD SAID SECOND POSITION WHEN SAID LEVER MEANS IS ROTATED TO SAID SECOND POSITION; SAID LEVER MEANS AND SAID TRIGGER LOCKING MEANS PERMITTING SAID FIRING PIN MEANS TO ENGAGE THE PRIMER AND SAID FIREARM TRIGGER TO BE ACTUATED WHEN IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SECOND POSITION. 